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What are the logistical consequences of a boom in cruise ship construction? An estimated 70 new ships are set to enter service between 2025 and 2033, and passenger capacity expected to reach nearly 44 million (according to the (according to the 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report from Cruise Lines International Association) and many of these construction projects are already underway. However, there is a limited number of shipyards equipped to build cruise ships. Almost all of them are based in Continental Europe and many are reporting full books following the extraordinary number of newbuilds ordered in 2024.
Meanwhile, the refurbishment industry has not been left behind. The wave of newbuilds delayed during the pandemic (just as the industry was reaching a record number of orders) were launched in 2021 and are now starting to be scheduled in for routine maintenance and refurbishment.
As new cruise lines enter the sector and guest numbers continue to swell, established brands are buoyed by confidence in the market and emboldened to create ever more innovative vessels. In January 2025, for example, Celebrity Cruises announced it would be launching river cruises for the first time in its 40-year history. It is making a bold entrance to the river cruise market with a 10-vessel order from TeamCo shipyard, based in the Netherlands, and a launch date of 2027.
Another cruise line is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence. The once briefly shuttered Crystal Cruises has secured financing for two newbuilds to be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The luxury cruise line has turned around its fortunes since being relaunched by A&K Travel Group in 2023, refurbishing its existing ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The brand also has three newbuilds on order, all of which will accommodate around 690 passengers and continue the cruise line’s trademark high crew-to-passenger ratios.
Residential cruising – a corner of the market which has remained quietly steady for years – has also gained traction. New residential cruise line Villa Vie Residences debuted its ship Villa Vie Odyssey, which departed on its maiden 15-year voyage from Northern Ireland in September 2024. In 2025, former Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings chairman Russell Galbut announced residential cruise line Crescent Seas. The cruise line intends to eventually operate a fleet of five ships, starting with the refurbished Seven Seas Navigator, chartered to the brand in an agreement with Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Europe (CSI Europe) has relocated from the UK to Germany
With the action heating up in Continental Europe, Elite Exhibitions has relocated its annual Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Europe (CSI Europe) event for 2025. This year, it will hold its first-ever edition in Germany, a country popular for river cruises and the home of shipbuilder Meyer Werft.
The cruise ship interiors supply chain, from shipyards to suppliers, will convene at the Hamburg Messe + Congress from 3-4 December for two days of conversations, conferences and meetups designed to help attendees discuss the most relevant industry topics. Half of the 300 exhibitors will be new to the show, meaning visitors will meet a mixture of new faces and old friends.
The conference, which will be hosted in partnership with hospitality industry network NEWH, will explore everything from how to create efficiencies across the shipbuilding process, to delivering a premium experience onboard Europe’s many smaller river and ocean-going vessels.
The event hosts the Cruise Ship Interiors Awards, sponsored by Kalmar
The event will also feature the Hospitality@CSI zone with panels exploring how hotel operations teams deliver guest experiences. An intimate Lunch & Learn session will feature a speaker from a leading hotel brand, who will explore how their understanding of their market shapes the way they create impactful guest experiences. This will be followed by a networking lunch.
On the evening of day two, the show floor will seamlessly transform into the Cruise Ship Interiors Awards, sponsored by marine lighting firm Kalmar. The only awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating the creativity, innovation and beauty of the cruise ship interiors community will present all-new categories and a refreshed judging panel.
Register to attend and get your two-day pass to CSI Europe
Abi McMahon is content manager at Elite Exhibitions
Discover more insights like this in the Autumn/Winter 2025 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. Don’t miss out – subscribe for FREE and get the next issue delivered straight to your inbox.